$15,000 will fund training in drones
Black River Technical College in Pocahontas has received a $15,000 grant from the Bosch Community Fund to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics interest in students as young as fourth grade by using drone technology.
The northeast Arkansas community college will use the funds to purchase 10 practice drones, 10 computerized drones, 10 iPad Minis for drone programming and an eight-lesson drone curriculum, according to a news release. The equipment will be used for the school's new precision agriculture course.
The students will learn how to use the drones, program them and write computer code to send them on missions. Those students and their instructor will lead weeklong drone camps for students in fourth through eighth grades.
The funding comes from the foundation for Bosch, a tool manufacturer that has its reconditioning facility in Walnut Ridge.
ASU radio station names 2 officials
KASU-FM, the National Public Radio member station licensed to Arkansas State University, has named both a new development director and a new station manager.
The new development director is Kristy Cates, 55, who is the executive director of the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association. She holds a bachelor's degree in radio-television from Abilene Christian University and a master's degree in communication with an emphasis in mass media from Valdosta State University. Cates will also work as a media instructor at ASU.
The new station manager is Mark Smith, 53, a longtime staff member who has worked as a producer, morning host and development director for KASU. He joined the station as a student in the early 1980s and holds a bachelor's degree in radio-television and a master's degree of public administration, both from ASU.
Smith's salary is $46,000. Cates' is $37,000.
UCA opens doors of coding campus
The University of Central Arkansas has opened its new Arkansas Coding Academy campus.
Classes at the facility, located at 1835 S. Donaghey Ave. in Conway, started July 17. The academy provides training for careers in programming and information technology. It is part of the University of Central Arkansas Division of Outreach and Community Engagement.
UCA already owned the building, which is not on the school's campus, and previously used it to back up its technology and computer systems. The new campus is in the building's office space, which was previously leased to the Faulkner County sheriff's office. There are two classrooms, private meeting spaces for students, officers for staff and instructors and a break room.
The cost for the project was about $55,000. The funding came from money that UCA had set aside for capital projects. An open house at the campus will take place on Sept. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information can be found at arkansascodingacademy.com.
Paper mill boosts college tech work
The Lockesburg Industrial Maintenance Institute at the Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas has received a $20,000 donation from the Domtar paper mill in Ashdown.
The De Queen community college's new industrial technology program will purchase equipment that will help students increase their employability.
Domtar general manager Bob Grygotis said the donation would directly benefit Ashdown High School students and the southwest Arkansas region.
"Programs such as this are critically important to help prepare students for the future and filling the numerous manufacturing jobs that will be available in this region," Grygotis said.
Metro on 08/26/2018